This week we'd like to recognize a hometown and Food Pantry favorite: Martine. We caught up with Martine and asked her a few questions. What inspired you to start volunteering with our organization? I was teaching in the Middle School in Marshfield and thought it would be a good civics lesson for December, to encourage the students to donate to the Food Pantry. We did and when I dropped off the food collection a friend was there and invited me to volunteer and I did. Can you describe a memorable moment or experience you've had while volunteering? We needed to move out of the Congregational Church. I was looking around for a space and saw the one in Library Plaza. The Board thought it would be a great place. We petitioned the Town at a Town Meeting. The TM Members and the Select Board agreed, and subsequently helped arrange funding to create the space for four users: The Library, The Recreation Department. The Post Program, and the Pantry. A little space for everyone. We are lucky! The Town is in total support of our Pantry. What skills or lessons have you gained from your time as a volunteer? To be supportive of our Pantry visitors and their ways. Some hurry through and I'm afraid they will miss something; Others take so much time I want to hurry them. For some it is a rare chance to 'shop' and they want to enjoy the visit. How do you balance your volunteering with other commitments in your life? Volunteering adds a wonderful dimension to my life. It is the people you serve with and goals we set that make it so satisfying. Our Pantry visitors are inspiring, the folks you meet who volunteer at the same time become friends. It usually takes one day a month, a commitment of only 3-4 hours. The 'customers' come only once a month, usually on the same day so you may get to see the same people when you come. The work is not hard, and the space is wonderful. (fb)

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